Dane smiled. "Hell yea that means– wait what?" He said, startled. "I thought I had to fight a Sword Elite to be inducted in?" He asked wholeheartedly perplexed by the change up.
Sophia was quick to interject. "What Darren failed to mention first is that though officially it would require a Sword Elite. You're an unofficial member. So you're a part of us unless decided otherwise."
Dane made an 'oh" face. "Oh gotcha.. that really threw me through a loop. Still can't I truly be allowed to learn this blood qi even as an unofficial?" He asked, feeling this is just too good of an art, giving it to unofficial seems a bit slack.
"Dont think too hard about that. A lot of people in Invidivia have some level of cultivation. It's not a secret purely to us alone. Almost every citizen practices them. There are libraries that sell manuals. A lot of outsiders assume its just a bunch of novels. And maybe there is some of that but without a proper knowledge and awareness of it outsiders don't much touch that side of the city. As an unofficial member its best we prepare you to fight a Sword elite. Also I noticed your use of magic is rather limited. Why is that?" Grace said, in parts imparting knowledge, part curious.
Dane gave a nervous laugh rubbing his neck. "Well… its self taught so I only really know how to use a little of it. I can only ever use very little of my mana at once."
Sammy raised an eyebrow. "So what you're saying is your magic talent hasn't been nurtured at all you've slacked on it? Why's that? That's akin to never sharpening your sword; You should always nurture your abilities. Make them the best you can. They can save you one day. Even more than if you didn't cultivate them."
"Sammy right, can't slack off on your abilities Newbie." Darren said with a grin. "Unfortunately there isn't really any place here in Invidivia to go unless you got a hell of a lot of coins on you. Old wizards don't take little coins for teaching" he said with a sign.
"Well I mean there aren't really guilds for that. Not without great talent, and schools don't accept swordsmen or anyone lower than nobility out where I'm from." Dane said helplessly. "Im not slacking it's just I'm not sure where to go with it. I'm not the brightest star in the sky to figure that out. I've been using magic as a trump card really. And I don't need it often. I can't cast any elemental spells, I have no affinity or ability for that. The four elements are out of my reach" he gave a sad grimace.
Dane had in the past tried. He certainly did for a while. Wind was too difficult, he could barely make a spark for fire, earth was too much, and water was also off putting. He didn't know how to externally apply magic. He uses the magic for internal use. Speeding up his reactions and the likes.
But Grace perked up. "Really? Hey Sophia, why don't you tell him about the crooked library? Maybe they can help?" She said feeling it was a great time to bring this up. Oldest library in Invidivia. Not sanctioned by the royals… but there is nothing they can do about it. The old woman there is simply that level.
Sophia pondered for a moment. "Actaully that's a good idea. You can learn your magic there, learn about the history of Invidivia, and maybe learn a few more things you never knew."
"Not just that. Dane, you do know there are more than four elements right?" Darren put his arm around Dane's shoulder. Seeing Dane himself surprised by the fact there are more than four elements Darren was all too happy to fill him in.
"There is fire, wind, water, earth, metal, lightning, light, shadow also known as dark, gravity, law, life and death"
Dane squinted his eyes at that "wait what? I can understand metal and lightning, but light, dark, gravity, law, life and death? How are those elements?"
Grace this time spoke up. "Light and dark are cycles of the day and night hence they are an element just as any of the elements have cycles. Gravity is the fundamental element that keeps up here on this world; without it we would be floating without the ability to move directionally.
Law isn't pertaining to society, or anything man has built. But rather what allows reality to function. It's the basis on which we all live. It's considered an element. Life and death are also elements. Their cycles allow life and death. There is also the corrupt side of magic. But I think you should learn that from the old woman."
Dane pondered this. "How do you guys know this stuff? It sounds so advanced. I've never seen any wizards outside of Invidivia talk about this stuff."
Sophia now interjected. "Well Invidivia used to have its own magic guild in fact they are the architects of several wonders. However after the great battle three hundred years ago they haven't been in operation. There are still a few members left but not really sure on that.
The royal family, wanting to keep the knowledge known back then, inducted it into the city's education system. Just about everyone knows about those elements."
"Okay so.. this crooked library. Where is it?" Dane asked atlas he could not pass up this opportunity.